History

Lewisham’s famous women: Clemence Dane (1888-1965) Clemence Dane was born Winifred Ashton on 21 February 1888 in Westcombe Park Road, Blackheath. In 1897 the family moved to 22 Westwood Hill, Sydenham where they stayed until 1901. During this period young Winifred attended Sydenham High School. Her family then moved out of Lewisham but she returned Continue Reading

Although commonly remembered as the daughter of Karl Marx, Eleanor Marx achieved a great deal in her own right as a feminist, a socialist, a translator, journalist and editor. Eleanor lived in Jews Walk, Sydenham from 1895-1898.

Lewisham’s famous women: Marie Lloyd (1870-1922) Marie Lloyd, the greatest and most popular of the music hall artistes, lived for several years in Lewisham, between 1887 and 1893. The house where she lived, 196 Lewisham Way, called Lewisham High Road back then, no longer exists. The site was covered by the Breakspears Building of South Continue Reading

The Black Horse and Harrow, first appeared in the Parish Registers for the year 1700, under the name of the “Harrow, Rushey Green,” when it was owned by William Balthire. (History of the Borough of Lewisham by Leland L Duncan). It’s possible the pub served as a coach house as there was stabling to the Continue Reading

The Rising Sun Inn used to exist at 84 Rushey Green, Catford before changing address to 88 Rushey Green. The inn opened in 1823 and closed in 2006. It was eventually demolished in 2013 to make way for housing. The inn originally provided stabling for horses involved in long and short distance coach travel. This stopped Continue Reading